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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Stymied by his penchant for beautiful descriptive passages, Nabokov's plot development falters and circles back on itself. Despite his attempts to dissuade others from the use of allegorical language, it seems that this whole book hints at an allegory which is never quite rendered clearly. Nabokov's main character, Cincinnatus C., is sentenced to beheading for "gnostical turpitude" (knowledge-related deviance?), though he ironically doesn't seem to have much of a clue about why he should be put to death, or understand any of the details surrounding the execution. The reader soon learns that Cincinnatus has performed a few verifiable miracles of sorts in public, including walking on air and disappearing, perhaps related to a talent for transforming Ally McBeal-style daydreams into reality.
Sounds interesting, right? Unfortunately, repetitive descriptions of his daily schedule during incarceration, and the shifting architecture of the fortress in which he is imprisoned account for perhaps 75% of the book. If Nabokov sought to give his reader the sense of confusion and emotional constipation perhaps experienced by his main character (the narrator, while omniscient, often refrains from explaining Cincinnatus' reactions to the situations in which he finds himself, barely describing his outward expressions), he has succeeded in this regard. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for a very compelling read, on the whole. The absurdity is muted by the circumlocution, Nabokov retreats from ever fully committing to his various hints at magical realism, and he seems to moralize through his characters' dialogue on sex and violence.
It's worth mentioning that the comparisons many reviewers have made to Kafka's Trial seem misguided upon finishing this book. While Kafka described an abrupt and ever-escalating encroachment into one man's fairly ordinary life, Nabokov begins with a death sentence, and follows a confused and tortured individual who exists in a dream-like state during his incarceration, alternating between despair and apathy as he is prodded toward and led into diversion after diversion. There's something distinctively less linear about Nabokov's work, whereas Kafka, for better or worse, sets out to tell us a story (however wild it may seem at points along the way).
I'm glad I stuck it out on this one: the final 30 or 40 pages feature more action than the preceding 190+, and some of the language is truly wonderful (Nabokov's off-handed description of the cameras gathered in the center of town as the "square black snouts" of photographers comes to mind). As a result, I'll probably end up checking out another of Nabokov's novels, despite my dissatisfaction with this book.
Sounds interesting, right? Unfortunately, repetitive descriptions of his daily schedule during incarceration, and the shifting architecture of the fortress in which he is imprisoned account for perhaps 75% of the book. If Nabokov sought to give his reader the sense of confusion and emotional constipation perhaps experienced by his main character (the narrator, while omniscient, often refrains from explaining Cincinnatus' reactions to the situations in which he finds himself, barely describing his outward expressions), he has succeeded in this regard. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for a very compelling read, on the whole. The absurdity is muted by the circumlocution, Nabokov retreats from ever fully committing to his various hints at magical realism, and he seems to moralize through his characters' dialogue on sex and violence.
It's worth mentioning that the comparisons many reviewers have made to Kafka's Trial seem misguided upon finishing this book. While Kafka described an abrupt and ever-escalating encroachment into one man's fairly ordinary life, Nabokov begins with a death sentence, and follows a confused and tortured individual who exists in a dream-like state during his incarceration, alternating between despair and apathy as he is prodded toward and led into diversion after diversion. There's something distinctively less linear about Nabokov's work, whereas Kafka, for better or worse, sets out to tell us a story (however wild it may seem at points along the way).
I'm glad I stuck it out on this one: the final 30 or 40 pages feature more action than the preceding 190+, and some of the language is truly wonderful (Nabokov's off-handed description of the cameras gathered in the center of town as the "square black snouts" of photographers comes to mind). As a result, I'll probably end up checking out another of Nabokov's novels, despite my dissatisfaction with this book.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Honestly, I kind of hate giving one star ratings. But I really didn’t like this book. I typically love absurdism and them all for a good romp through some really out off the rocker Shenanigans but apparently I wasn’t in the mood for that. I didn’t identify with Cincinnatus the main character. I kept Being drawn by my own inability to not be disturbed by Nabokov’s fascination for 12-year-old girls.
All I can think is that I was not in the mood for this. Maybe the world is to observe right now for me to get down with invitation to her bedding. And what the fuck happened at the end anyway? I can’t even bother to reread it and try to figure it out.
All I can think is that I was not in the mood for this. Maybe the world is to observe right now for me to get down with invitation to her bedding. And what the fuck happened at the end anyway? I can’t even bother to reread it and try to figure it out.
This book is currently a DNF for me. It is not because I don't like it, on the contrary, I understand that Nabokov is a genius. I DNF'd at page 48 because I am not. I currently lack the intellectual flair to understand what's going on in this story. However, I hope to pierce the comprehension veil and give this a more confident second attempt in the future.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a great illustration of a specific kind of person: the outsider who can't conform and develops a sense of mild, unearned self-grandiosity by indulging in their potential without fully developing it. one who is in their own head so much they let opportunity pass by and let others trample over them. "i have great ideas. i could do something amazing, if I tried." cincinnatus's situation is presented neutrally, how the absurdity of modern life, its arbitrary expectations, guides those who don't assimilate into obscurity, how it punishes the uncharismatic.
basically, they killed my boy for being neurodivergent 😭
basically, they killed my boy for being neurodivergent 😭
A work of art. This is one of the more difficult books I’ve encountered as I believe Nabokov intended to make the readers undergo the same feelings as Cincinnatus; confusion, frustration and uncertainty.
Invitation to a beheading narrates the story of a man who has been condemned for his uniqueness and imagination. The whole book immerses the reader into this chaotic and nonsensical world which makes you wonder about the true meaning behind substance and individuality.
The ending leaves the reader wondering over how the events truly unfolded, but ultimately explains the power of one’s mind in building our own reality.
Invitation to a beheading narrates the story of a man who has been condemned for his uniqueness and imagination. The whole book immerses the reader into this chaotic and nonsensical world which makes you wonder about the true meaning behind substance and individuality.
The ending leaves the reader wondering over how the events truly unfolded, but ultimately explains the power of one’s mind in building our own reality.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I found myself confounded at many instances throughout this book. Many ideas felt incomplete, quite literally, with the use of ellipses and erratic dialogue. The plot was laborious for the first 150 pages until we really start to understand Cincinnatis’ character. Afterall, with no clear explanation of what “gnostical turpitude” is, there is little context by which to orient the reader to who Cincinnatus is. However, we begin to understand him through contrast to the other characters’ ostentatious, indulgent, and even foolish dispositions. Cincinnatus is ruminative, sensitive (despite accusations to the contrary), gentle and even innocent in nature. There are several instances where he is referred to as a child, which makes his connection to Emmie and his students genuine.
I have read other’s interpretations that this book is a commentary on the writers journey. I can see how that is a minor theme, but it seems more of an after thought. If Cincinnatus’ eleventh hour stroke of creativity is the crux of this book then, I’m afraid the month I spent pushing through this book feels wasted. Fortunately, I think there is a deeper message here; a personal one that is so much more relatable: the cost of an introspective life. That is, the challenges of connecting to even those loved ones closest to you when your values are not aligned. We find that Cincinnatus’ lack of interest in fine foods, vanity and carnal delights sets him apart from his wife, his jailers, M’sieur
Despite the confusion and frustration I felt while reading this book, the prose was delicious. Nabokov’s ability to make you feel that you are experiencing the setting first hand, and that you are witnessing the inner workings of the characters mind is unparalleled.